One of the true trailblazers in mental health, resilience and leadership joins us on The Experts Podcast this week. A man with lived experience who has dedicated much of his working life to helping leaders become better at what they do. His message starts with two simple but often overlooked skills: empathy and listening.
Graeme Cowan is a founding director of R U OK?, a speaker, facilitator and multiple-time author. From his first book, Back from the Brink, to his latest bestseller, Great Leaders Care, Graeme has consistently championed a leadership style built on genuine human connection. His message to leaders is straightforward. Be more empathetic, care more deeply and listen more effectively. They are simple traits, but they have the power to transform workplaces and the lives of the people within them.
Listen on Soundcloud, Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Through his writing and his podcast, The Caring CEO, Graeme continues to explore the challenges facing modern leaders. Mental health, burnout, artificial intelligence, resilience and workplace culture are all on the agenda. The conversations provide leaders at every level with an opportunity to pause, reflect and consider how their actions, decisions and communication impact those around them.
Graeme has spent years speaking on stages across Australia and designing workshops that help organisations build stronger, healthier and more caring cultures. What stands out most is that his message is not just something he teaches, it is something he lives. There is a warmth and authenticity in the way he communicates that immediately puts people at ease.
At a time when we have never been more connected through technology, many people have never felt more alone. That is especially true for men, who continue to struggle with discussing and managing their mental health. Graeme’s work is a timely reminder that caring leadership is not a weakness. It is one of the most important strengths a leader can possess.
